03-16-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. James Touve March 22, 1994 Page 2 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Further the fact that Lots 58 through 61 yield a parcel with less than 1/2 acre dry biiildable contiguous area which can ’t be readUy accessed without encroaching on the wetland, suggests that Lots 58 through 61 are not buildable. It can, however be argued that while adding Lot 57 makes 58 through 61 potentially buUdable, that reduces the Olsen property to a less conforming or nonconfonmng status. Under the Wetland Conservation Act, any filling or draming of wetland approval from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and Perhaps U S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is likely that in order to confirm your dry buildable area you will have to hire a consultant to perform a wetland boundary delineation under the State mandated methods. Note that the City code allows no fillmg, grading etc. within this wetland or within 26’ of its boundary. Even with Lot 57, it may be impossible to create a driveway to the rear of the property without encroaching into the wetlsmd setback. You must gain approval from Hennepin County Department of Trangorta‘i«“ a new driveway location entering on the county road. The Orono Public Wo Department would have jurisdiction over use of the alley for access. The 30’ setback from the rear lot line and 26’ wetland setback yield a building envelope barely wide enough for constmetion of a house. A rear setbacK variance for new construction may be difficult for the Planning Commission and Council to justify, given all the other factors involved with this property, as wen as the fact that a City namral park area exists directly north of the property. Fillino of the wetland to create a better driveway or building envelope situation, even with 2 to 1 mitigation of wetlands, might be viable only if determined to have merely storm water quantity/quality values which might he enhanced by such work without destroying other values. As of this writing, the City has not determined whether a water pond (east of 4064 North Shore Drive) is viable, necessary or appropriate as a tradeoff to your contemplated filling of the wetland. Lots 58 through 61 have been valued and taxed as 1974 according to City tax records. For example, in 1977, 55^6-57 we assessed at a toul valuaUon of $3,388.00 for 0.81 f« “ Lots 58 through 61 had a total combined value of $880.00 for 0-92 ®cre o $960.00 per acre, i.e. less than 1/4 of the value of the homestead lots. In 19»s. Lots 55-56-57 were valued at $31,600.00 or $39,000.00 per acre whUe I^ts 58- 59-60-61 were taxed at a valuation of $100,00 each or $435.00 per acre.